University College of the North ratifies new agreement

Feb 20, 2019

Members of the University
College of the North - Local 69 in the Pas and Local 70 in Thompson ratified a
new four-year agreement yesterday.

It was a tough round of
bargaining, especially due to the government’s Bill 28 wage freeze legislation. In fall 2019, the MGEU and
other unions will be challenging Bill 28 in court and the voting ballot
included a caveat which addressed the restrictions imposed by the Bill,
limiting the parties’ ability to negotiate freely.

Highlights of the agreement
include improvements to family-related leave, sick leave and bereavement leave,
as well as averting some major concessions involving reducing wages and
significant changes in hours of work.